The Overton Gateway, a proposed multifamily development planned by Makowsky Ringel Greenberg LLC, has been rejected by the Land Use Control Board at its Thursday, June 8, meeting.

A sizable crowd of Lea’s Woods residents and representatives from various Midtown neighborhood associations showed up to the meeting to voice their opposition. Chief among their complaints were issues with parking and building heights.

This initial plan for Overton Gateway, released in March, had called for seven, five-story buildings. Based on feedback from neighbors, developer Makowsky Ringel Greenberg later scaled back the number of apartments and height of buildings. (Makowsky Ringel Greenberg)

Some residents said they were not opposed to developing the vacant lots that sit on either side of Sam Cooper Boulevard where it meets Overton Park, but felt as though the development in its current state did not meet the historic district’s guidelines.

Forrest Owens with ETI, MRG’s land planner, argued the height and density of the development were reasonable considering the size of the heavily traversed intersection, and that the revised plans incorporated elements of the neighborhood’s architecture and also addressed the parking issues.

However, some members of the LUCB disagreed and felt as though the project needed more time in the development stage.

The final vote was 5-1 against the project, with one board member abstaining.

The LUCB decision is a recommendation to the Memphis City Council, which is the next stop for the development.